Chapter 26

Su Wan’s mood at this moment was exactly like the third meme in your sticker pack — speechless.

She looked at Wang Mei with a complicated expression she couldn’t quite describe. In the end, she couldn’t hold it in and stepped forward to ask, “Sister-in-law Zhang, I’m not even familiar with Deputy Company Commander Zhang. When exactly did I seduce him?”

Wang Mei still screeched with that sharp voice, “Don’t think I don’t know! Weren’t you all smiles with him before New Year’s? Company Commander Chen has been away from home for over half a year. Who knows whose bed you’ve been sleeping in at night!”

“Wang Mei, shut your mouth!”

Deputy Company Commander Zhang’s face turned red with anger. “I already said, that day I just helped Comrade Su Wan move a table. In our unit, we help one another. Company Commander Chen wasn’t home, but it was broad daylight and nothing happened. Don’t say such nasty things.”

“Oh, so you feel sorry for Su Wan the moment I speak, huh? Zhang Tao, don’t forget, I’m the woman who bore and raised your children, the one who works like a mule for you! How can you treat me like this?”

“I’ve told you, I have no woman outside. I don’t even know that female comrade! If you keep making a scene, then let’s just get a divorce!”

The moment the word “divorce” was spoken, the whole courtyard fell silent.

Wang Mei’s lips trembled. She pointed at Deputy Company Commander Zhang but couldn’t say a single word.

She glared viciously at Su Wan. “It’s all because of you, you little vixen—”

Before she could finish, Zheng Aifang, who had just put down the groceries, suddenly jumped out. “What did you just say? Say one more bad word about my daughter, and I’ll rip your mouth apart!”

Wang Mei had just returned to the military compound with her child today and hadn’t heard anything about recent events in the courtyard — much less that Su Wan’s mother and mother-in-law had both come to visit.

She was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Now, faced with Zheng Aifang — who was a head taller than her — she immediately lost her nerve and didn’t dare make a scene anymore.

“Don’t be scared, girl,” Zheng Aifang growled, standing in front of Su Wan. “What kind of trash dares to bully you? Watch me rip her to shreds!”

Su Wan took a deep breath, then looked straight at Wang Mei and said, “Sister-in-law Zhang, we all live in the same courtyard. I don’t want to say anything too unpleasant.

My husband, Chen Yuan, often gets sent on missions. It’s true that people in the courtyard help me out often, but I’ve always kept things proper with the men around here. I didn’t want to bother with what you’ve been saying behind my back, but if you keep spreading baseless rumors, don’t blame me for calling the police.

I want to know — when have I ever behaved inappropriately with anyone?

Slandering someone’s reputation is a criminal offense.”

Wang Mei shrank back, visibly frightened.

“Xiao Mei, get up now,” one of the other wives quickly said, trying to give her an excuse to exit gracefully.

But Zheng Aifang wasn’t having it. She pointed at Wang Mei and scolded loudly, “Let me tell you — if I hear you gossiping about my daughter again, I don’t care if I’ve gone back to the countryside, I’ll bring my whole family here to beat you down! Say it once, I’ll beat you once!

Don’t think my daughter is worthless like you! Our family has seventeen boys and only one girl — Wanwan is the apple of our eye. You better get it straight and don’t make me slap you!”

No one dared interrupt her.

Even if the blame was shared between both sides, she was a respected elder and just a family member — no one wanted to get involved.

After speaking, Zheng Aifang took Su Wan by the hand and walked away.

“Mom, don’t tell Chen Yuan about this. The doctor said he needs rest and can’t be upset.”

“I know, I know. Chen Yuan is already asleep. Besides, he wouldn’t have heard it from that far away.”

Zheng Aifang felt bad for both her daughter and her son-in-law. She knew what could and couldn’t be said.

Back inside, Su Jian’guo was washing dishes, and Li Cuihua had already finished cooking.

Seeing Su Wan return, she curiously asked, “What was going on outside? I thought I heard people arguing.”

“It’s nothing.”

Su Wan didn’t say more, and Li Cuihua didn’t press the matter.

After the three finished eating, Su Wan brought out wool coats for the two moms to try on.

“These wool coats were specially bought for you two. Try them on and see how they fit?”

Li Cuihua looked at the stylish and clearly expensive coats and hesitated. “This must’ve cost a lot. You should sell them instead. I have clothes — I don’t need new ones.”

“They’re already bought. Besides, I also got coats for the two dads and the brothers. Just remember to take them back with you.”

Su Wan knew they’d be leaving soon, so she handed everything over.

Zheng Aifang didn’t hold back at all. Her daughter had money now and wanted to show her love — of course she was happy to accept it.

The coats fit well.

People were generally slim in this era, and since it was winter, medium-sized outerwear usually fit just fine.

After distributing all the clothes and shoes, Su Wan finally went back to her room to rest.

Chen Yuan hadn’t slept well the night before and was now in a deep sleep. Listening to his steady breathing, Su Wan climbed into bed and soon fell asleep too.

The next morning, when she woke up, Chen Yuan was still asleep.

She ate a few buns, then went to town.

The girls who had reserved skirts yesterday were already waiting eagerly. After paying in full, they all left with their purchases, cheerful and satisfied.

Originally, Su Wan thought she’d have to take the remaining inventory to sell elsewhere. But unexpectedly, the girls who bought skirts the day before had shown them off, and brought their friends along. One after another, they all came wanting to buy.

At first, they still picked out colors. But later, as the crowd grew, they didn’t even care about the colors anymore. Within just over an hour, all the skirts were gone.

The trousers sold fast too. After the skirts were gone, the trousers sold out in less than an hour.

Looking at the bulging bag of money, Su Wan happily returned home with her mom and second brother.

“You’re back so early?” Chen Yuan, sitting in the courtyard sunning himself, looked up in surprise.

“Sold out.” Su Wan grinned and led him into the house.

Inside, she began counting the earnings from the past few days.

In just four days, after deducting the initial cost and paying back her mom, Su Wan had made 58,694 yuan in profit.

Of that, about 24,000 yuan came from selling stockings.

Chen Yuan could hardly believe his eyes.

He knew private business could be profitable, but he didn’t expect it to be this lucrative.

Zheng Aifang, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised at all. She believed her daughter was capable — making that much money was just the result of her hard work.

“Wanwan, is it really that easy to make money?” Li Cuihua was truly shocked. Could money outside really be this easy to earn?

“Now that the reform and opening-up is happening, it’s easier to make money if you ride the wave of the times. But you can’t keep selling in one place — like when I was selling outside the factory, once this batch sells out, the market is saturated. We’d need to take the goods elsewhere to sell. The fact that it went so well this time was just good luck.”

Su Wan explained, then added, “I want to save up some capital and eventually go to Pengcheng to open a decoration and building materials store. If things go well, I hope Eldest Brother, Third Brother, and Chen Xiang-ge can go with me to do business together.”